Little Ted's Day Nursery

An allotment, tadpole spotting and puzzles that become progressively harder give Little Ted's Day Nursery a practical, hands-on character in its April 2023 picture. This Haddenham setting has capacity for 42 children aged 6 to 60 months, with everyday independence an important part of the experience described at that time.

At its April 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and found that its sequenced curriculum helped children make good progress and prepare for school. The strongest examples were concrete: children practised writing during pretend play and explored measurement with a toy tape measure.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care, bringing play and everyday routines into their education. In April 2023, learning tasks built on earlier skills: simple fitting puzzles led towards more demanding puzzles that children could eventually tackle independently. Observation and assessment informed their next learning steps.

Language had several routes into the day. In April 2023, songs and storytelling props supported younger children, while preschool children practised describing objects. Writing materials in the pretend-play area gave children a reason to make lists and exchange ideas; a whiteboard offered another place to attempt their names.

Outdoor experiences extended that practical approach. In April 2023, children looked for tadpoles at a nearby pond, watched a combine harvester in a field and visited a recreation ground. Their allotment gave them opportunities to grow vegetables and fruit, connecting learning with the surrounding community and the natural world.

At the April 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and identified a SENCo who understood early help, referrals and collaboration with families and other professionals. These were specific support mechanisms, rather than a general promise of inclusion.

Relationships also mattered in April 2023: younger children received comfort after sleep, and older children approached adults to share books. Children practised doing things for themselves, including finding outdoor clothing and taking plates to the lunch table. Parents described helpful settling support and communication, while supervision and appraisal helped staff identify training needs and discuss their wellbeing.

Personal hygiene was the clear improvement point in April 2023. Staff missed chances to reinforce routines following nappy changes and nose wiping. That matters because these repeated moments help children learn how to care for themselves.

The address is Chewells Lane, Haddenham, Ely, CB6 3SS. Opening hours are 7.45am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays, Christmas and New Year.

In April 2023, session times ran from 7.45am until 6pm, and the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. Those funding arrangements belong to that dated account.

• Hygiene habits. The April 2023 improvement point concerned teaching hygiene during everyday care. On a visit, ask how nappy changes and nose wiping now reinforce those habits.
• Attendance and costs. What booking patterns, funded-hour arrangements and meal or consumable charges would apply to your child's proposed attendance?

Little Ted's suits families who value practical exploration and growing independence. Its April 2023 examples connect early learning with familiar tasks, from writing lists to growing food. The Good judgement provides a dated quality reference; the hygiene improvement point deserves attention alongside those strengths.